Browns

Weeden, Richardson Not Ruled Out For Finale vs. Steelers

Quarterback Brandon Weeden #3 of the Cleveland Browns is attended to after being sacked by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. Weeden was injured on the play and left the game as the Broncos defeated the Browns 34-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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BEREA (92.3 The Fan) – Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur did not rule quarterback Brandon Weeden or running back Trent Richardson out for the season finale at Pittsburgh.

Shurmur said Monday that Weeden sustained a right shoulder sprain and x-rays were negative on Trent Richardson’s left ankle but he is undergoing further evaluation.

“We’re still evaluating those injuries,” Shurmur said. “The X-rays didn’t show a break, but we haven’t finished up the evaluation. He was actually feeling better today.

“Brandon, it was his right shoulder. At this point it’s a sprain, so we’ll just see where that goes. I wouldn’t rule them out yet.”

Both first-round picks were hurt in Sunday’s 34-12 loss to Denver.

Weeden sustained his injury on a third-quarter sack while Richardson was hurt when Colt McCoy, who replaced Weeden at quarterback, rolled over on the running back’s leg after being hit on the Browns’ second-to-last offensive play.

Despite Richardson’s injuries, Shurmur refuses to shut down the No. 3 pick for the finale.

“I want to see if he can come back and play,” Shurmur said. “I think it’s important if guys are physically able to play they play. That’s the competitive nature of this game.”

Shurmur defended his decision to have Richardson, who has also been dealing with a rib injury, on the field with the game out of reach in the closing moments.

“Joe Thomas was in there, Alex Mack,” Shurmur said. “Somebody has to tell me who our good players are and who they aren’t. We were in there trying to win a football game. That’s why we did it.”

Shurmur tried to extend the game, which was for all intents and purposes already over, by burning all 3 timeouts as well as throwing the ball.

“So you just run the ball and get out of there, warm up the buses,” Shurmur said. We’re trying to do what we can to move the football. At that time it was a three-score game. So typically that means throw it.

“You don’t want anybody to get hurt. Nobody wants to be hurt in a game like that. But I think it’s important to try to do what we have to do to win the game.”